Delegate Bloxham’s bill to exempt small lobbyist-hosted bipartisan meals is tabled after committee concerns

Delegate Bloxham introduced House Bill 620 as a second filing, saying the measure seeks to "restore a little bit of balance" and encourage "cross pollination" between Republicans and Democrats at social meals. "When I first got up here, a lobbyist would take out a group of legislators," Bloxham said, arguing those gatherings helped members learn colleagues’ backgrounds and perspectives.

The revised draft narrows last year’s broader proposal. Bloxham told the committee the bill would exempt food and drink expenses up to $200 when two different parties are present at the meal. He said the change responded to concerns that an unrestricted exemption could permit travel or large unreported events. "So it's $200, food and drink," he said.

Opponents said the approach risked undermining transparency. Delegate Carlson, who moved to table the bill, said she "appreciate[d] the idea and concept" but did not think the bill was the right way to achieve it. The committee considered public input (a written comment from Dr. Reid noting support but possibly citing the wrong bill number) and debate over historical practice and the 2016 "McDonald rules" that introduced earlier limits.

The committee held a recorded roll call on the motion to table. The motion carried 4–3; the clerk recorded the bill as tabled. The committee did not adopt the exemption language or advance HB 620. The question of whether and how to balance cross-party interaction with reporting and disclosure obligations may be revisited in future meetings.